Car Seats

[NaeNae]

Hi All,

This is probably the umteenth time someone has posted this but I am just wondering what car seats you all got and why you got that particular one.

I currently drive a two door Bitsamissing Lancer. I have seen a car seat that has a swivel base to make things easier to get bubbie in and out of the vehicle.

If anyone else has used one like this I would love some feedback.

The car seat will need to be able to used from birth to toddler (hopefully), any brand any price anything you have advice on would be greatly appreciated

Thanks all
Nae x

[~Trish~]

Hi Nae . The one with the swivel base is a Turn-a-tot and I've heard it is great for fitting in smaller cars. The only downside is that it doesn't swivel when in forward-facing mode, but that's not really a biggie.

Another model that suits smaller cars is the Safe-N-Sound Compaq. It is smaller and narrower than standard SNS car seats so that may be good too.

I personally love Safe-N-Sound car seats, they are great quality, exceed safety standards and very user friendly.

Good luck deciding!

[*LovemyKids*]

I have a turn a tot and i LOVE IT!!!

I have a landcruiser so i have a big car and its great. I got it so i can turn it around and put bubs in rather then having to climb up. I found it really easy to turn around without having to unhook the seat. It is a great size for smaller cars and its a great size for my car as i have two booster seats as well as a baby seat in the back. My DD is only a little girl and i think she will be in it for a while she is nearly 1. I first bought it when i found out i was pregnant with her and my middle son used it for a while he was probably about 2 so he still fit in it fine. honestly i really like my turn a tot!!!
You can actually go to the baby shops and they will let you try it in your car to see which one fits best!!!

HTH Nikki

[Just Me]

I have a Safe and Sound AHR Meredian for my DD and I love it. The base is really stable and doesn't tend to move about the way some of the other car seats I have seen do. It is quite big though when it is rearward facing.

For my second baby I bought a capsule (you can also hire them). I found it so much better than the rearward facing carseat. If the baby falls asleep, you can take out the whole thing and you don't have to worry about taking in another bed for them. If you know you are going out, you can put them to sleep in the capsule and then you don't have to disturb them. My capsule also had a rocker on the bottom so I could put DS in it and rock him with my foot while I was out. It also fits in the top of my pram so I could just take it out of the car and put it straight into the pram. It also took up less room than a rearward facing carseat and was much quicker to put DS in the car because I did all the buckling up while I was inside.

The downside is that it won't take you all the way to toddler, but you can hire them from the ambulance for $60 for 6 months (in Queensland but I imagine it would be similar in other places). I got mine on special from Target for $200 normally $300.

HTH

[rufalina]

I love the safe'n'sound compaq. It is prefect for my Astra. DH has been happy in it rearward facing till now (11.5 months), and he is just getting a bit long for it. I have never had a problem with getting him in and out. easy. I will be turning it round on the weekend.
We can easily fit two compaqs and a person in the back seat of our car... well almost easily, it is definately do-able!

ETA - My sister has one in her 2 door astra and it fits easily there too. She would sit on the front seat and pop her DD in, now it is front facing it is easier...

[Just Me]

DH has been happy in it rearward facing till now (11.5 months), and he is just getting a bit long for it. I have never had a problem with getting him in and out.

Rufalina - I know it's a typo but now I have visions of your DH in a rearward facing carseat.

[Megan]

I also have a safe n sound compaq in my Astra. It came recommended to me by a family friend who fits car seats. I can still sit comfortably in the passenger seat with the car seat behind me (but I am a 5ft 3 shorty!)

[cheekyfrog]

I have the safe n sound compaq deluxe, Nae. It was recommended by Choice and by various motoring associations. It's good for small cars. I bought it when I had a Nissan Pulsar sedan, although I now have a slightly bigger Holden Astra wagon. Matthew is still rear facing in it at 8 months and nearly 10kg and looks comfortable.

[NaeNae]

Thanks so much for your replies ladies,

DH and I had a chat last night and he isn't fussed what we get and basically told me to keep researching. I have found a great website that does reviews on different products which I have also found quite useful. Dh DID tell me though that I am not to go racing out and spending money until we get past 25 weeks - talk about spoiling all my fun

All I wanna do is SHOP darn it.

I quite like the look of the safe and sound compaq now from spending some time reading/ researching but like some have suggested I will try to find somewhere that does sell them and do the car fit thing to see for myself which one I think will be best for my little bluey (my car).

PLease if anyone else has suggestions or feedback I will be shoping in 11 weeks time please please post your thoughts.

Nae x x

[Taurean]

Hi Nae

We too looked a the Turn a Tot - they are a great idea. The only turn off for me is the turning feature doesn't work once they're facing forwards. Something to think about. Otherwsie they do look like a great car seat!

I just love Safe n Sound so we went for the Meridian AHR (manual, not retractor) for my car and we got a Fisher Price Premium on special for $200 for DH's car. The SnS Compaq is brilliant for small cars and actually has the best safety records in Australia currently (according to recent tests)

There is a place in Melbourne who sell Safe n Sound's really cheap. Their address is (remove the blanks): baby - carseats . com . au

[Cassius2]

we love our SNS compaq! we literally couldnt get any of the other SNS to fit in our car!!!

it is really comfy and has loads of room for bubs to grow with, is easy to wash and very easy to use.

we have used it in our parent's 2 door lancer too.

[Bloom]

Awesome thread! I needed advice about car seats. Just a quick question - does anyone know the difference between the safe-n-sound compaq and the safe-n-sound compaq delux? I can't seem to see as many places selling the safe-n-sound compaq.

[~Trish~]

Ruth - The Safe-N-Sound Compaq Deluxe comes with a sun-hood and messy mat (the mat that goes underneath to protect your car's seat. The non-Deluxe version doesn't come with the accessories, just the basics (it should include the newborn insert though), the fabric is different too. So basically it has less bells & whistles LOL.

[Lolli]

If I were doing it again from scratch, I'd hire a Safe'nSound capsule for the first 6-9 months or however long they fit in it, then go onto a Safe'n'Sound Maxi Rider.

[sweetpea678]

hi,

WIth bub number 3, I actually brought the unity capsule and have loved it, she still fits in at 10+ months. And is so easy to lift in and out the car. Not sure how it would work with a two door car though. I think she will be in it till at least 1, she is not a huge baby though, just under 8kg and 68cm at 10 months.

[~Gee_Whizzy~]

Hi Nae,

I have the safe n sound compaq deluxe in my corolla sportivo (hatchback).It fits comfortably behind the passenger seat with enough leg room for my DH who is 5'11

[NaeNae]

Howdy all,

Just an update, I took my car down to Fountain Gate and tried the Turn a Tot and the SnS compac in my little car. I had no idea the seats themselves were so big, anyway neither fitted in the middle where my bolt is without having both driver and passenger seats really far forward.
Therefore the only one that I could get is the Turn a tot. even the lady said it was really my only option aside from buying a new car which DH can't afford to do until he is finished Uni.
I will still have to get the bolt put in on the passenger side and there is absolutely no room for a passenger unless they sit in back with bub.

Turn a tot was the first one I saw but I really really wanted a SnS after all the reading I did.

Oh well, I am still happy they have a 4 star reputation.

Thanks again so much for all your advice

Nae x x x

[mummato1]

I have a 2 door mitsubishi lancer as well (hey and mine is blue to!!) and I ended up hiring a capsule.. and it fits fine in the middle. Saying that tho DP and I are both short (I am only 5ft) and have the seat all the way forward anyway.

The first place I went to couldnt get it to fit, but I honestly think she had NO idea what she was doing as the second place we went to the capsule was fine. I was pretty keen to try the turn a tot as well but no-one around here stocks it.